A date to remember - Martham couple tie the knot at 12pm on 12/12/12

For thousands of couples every year the day they become husband and wife is a momentous occasion and one they will treasure forever.

12/12/12 - a special date

● According to the Mayan calendar the world will end on December 12, 2012. While some see the ancient civilisation’s prediction as a doomsday, others believe it represents a new beginning

● Scores of loved up couples around the world will be taking advantage of the special date. Hong Kong and Singapore is expected to see a wedding boom today as couples rush to tie the knot on the special date, which is seen by some as guaranteeing a happy marriage.

Twelves couples are also set to say “I do” at the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech in Belize.

● Rock and roll superstars are coming together at Madison Square Garden in New York to hold a fundraising concert in aid of those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi and Eric Clapton are among the acts that will be playing at the 121212 concert, that will be broadcast to 1bn people across the globe via TV, radio and live internet streaming.

● On December 12, 1912 US representative Charles C. Bowman of Pennsylvania was unseated by a vote from his fellow congressmen, after they concluded he had used corrupt practices to be elected.

Boxer Henry Armstrong - regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time - was also born on this date.

But the nuptials of one Norfolk pair will be an extra special date and one they - and their guests - will never have difficulty remembering on all important anniversaries, as they will be saying “I do” at 12pm on 12/12/12.

Wendy Williams and Mark Llewellyn will tie the knot at St Mary’s Church, Martham in front of delighted friends and family before enjoying a reception at the village’s Kings Arms pub.

The couple have been engaged for three years and originally planned to get hitched on Mark’s birthday in July.

But when their dream house came on the market they put the wedding plans on hold to concentrate on moving from Great Yarmouth to the idyllic rural location they had been hankering after.

They settled in their new Martham pad in May and threw themselves into putting their own personal stamp on it and soon found they had no time to squeeze in a summer wedding.

However, their marital plans got back on track on Mark’s birthday when, while out for a celebratory meal, December 12, 2012 “popped” into Wendy’s head as the perfect date.

Mark, 47, said: “We were sat in our local pub and were talking about the wedding. Wendy said how about we get married on 12/12/12, wouldn’t that be cool? I said let’s go and see if it’s available for the church.

“It was and so away we went.”

Wendy, 45, added: “We didn’t want to wait for 2013 and I thought wouldn’t it be so cool, you’ll never get that date again for 100 years.

“When we have rung people up and told them the main reaction we have got is ‘that’s a Wednesday, I have got to take a day off work.’

“But we feel this day will be a lucky day for us, and a day and date everyone will remember sharing with us.”

Since settling on the date the couple have been hard at work planning and perfecting their special day, which will have a very personal touch. Together they have hand crafted their invitations and orders of service and made their own table decorations.

“With the move and everything we’ve been quite tight on our budgets and I think it’s better to do it yourself, it puts more thought into it. We’ve been quite surprised by how much we’ve saved,” Mark said.

Wendy, a mum of four who works from home as an HR consultant, has also managed to save money on her dress after ordering a bespoke gown made in Hong Kong, and will be gliding down the aisle in her specially made ensemble to exchange vows with Mark, a community development worker.

And thanks to their memorable wedding day the pair said they are certain never to miss an anniversary.